Wairakite is a rare calcium-rich member of the zeolite group that is chemically and structurally similar to analcime. It is typically found as a secondary mineral in geothermal fields, occurring within altered volcanic rocks or deposited from hot springs. Collectors value it for its characteristic trapezohedral crystal habit, which often mimics the appearance of analcime.
Is this wairakite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch wairakite with a known reference. Wairakite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wairakite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wairakite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, grayish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: trapezohedral crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Wairakite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wairakite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wairakite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.25 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Trapezohedral Crystals, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Alteration Zones in Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wairakite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wairakei, New Zealand
- Iceland
- Kamchatka, Russia
- California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal alteration zones in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where wairakite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, adularia in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a trapezohedral crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wairakite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
